Adventure Dish - Everyday Travel and Adventure

Poem #8 of 30

adventuredish — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:50:47 +0000

I’ve been a bit worried the past few days as the inspiration seemed to dry up. It simply took a break. I believe I am now back on track with the challenge.

Walk Softly

It feels safe and natural and easy

And yet past experience has shown me

There are landmines in the most manicured of lawns.

Lawns edged with daisies and peonies

Lawns where garden gnomes are forbidden

Because the housing association says so.

My lawn has a flock of pink flamingos, twelve in all

Some days they stand in a circle and do the hokey-pokey

Other days they form a line and do a conga around the swing set, taking turns having the lead.

Yes, I’ve still got a swing set

It’s white with candy stripes, two swings, a teeter-totter and a slide

The teeter-totter is lonely; I’m partial to the swing.

I pump myself higher and higher,

My toes stretching to the sky,

Trying to get the courage to leap.

When I do, there’s a moment where time stands still…

My feet are arcing out, my body following, my breath suspended,

With my heightened senses I can hear…

The bees buzzing around the lilac tree,

My Mom through the kitchen window, on the phone with her best friend June,

And in the distance, the hum of cars starting to warm up on the Speedway,

And then I hit the ground feet first.

Every time I jump, I am nervous, despite having jumped numerous times before,

I love the feeling of it, the exhilaration, the wind rushing in my hair,

The sense of accomplishment when I land,

I’m good at it, but it still makes me nervous.

Even when it feels right, it feels natural, it feels easy,

Especially then, because past experience has shown me

There are landmines in even the most manicured of lawns.

Poems #5 – #7 of 30

adventuredish — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:48:23 +0000

Here are several that were in various forms, now finished. Some I quite like. Enjoy.

Colors

I pimp color, it’s what I do.

Are you feeling a bit grey, the cloudy skies weighing you down?

Atomic tangerine is sure to perk you up.

So, your memories of Greece are fading,

There’s a blue-light special on Turquoise in aisle 13.

You need an adventure,

A little pop to break the tedium of the day to day grind,

Why not try Outrageous orange or Purple Pizzazz

Perhaps I can interest you in the white hot heat of a glowing moon…

Or the blood orange red of your lover’s last kiss…

Or the cornflower blue of coffee with your favorite aunt.

Just name your heart’s desire, I’ve got you colored.

The Cure for Ennui

Rise early in the morning with the sun,

Take a walk in the fresh air,

Pay attention to everything you see,

Have breakfast out,

Order French Toast and Orange juice, something you never have,

With a side of eggs for protein,

Because you’re a tad controlling, and that will never change.

Later, wander through a bookstore,

Create nonsense with the melodious titles,

Our story begins

At the

Turn of the Century

It chronicles

Monopolies of Loss

On the

The Street of 1000 blossoms

Where a

Karate Bride

Dreaming in Cuban

While

Hungry for Paris

At the

Highest Tide

Jaguars ripped my flesh

And before you

Call Off your Dogs

There’s a slight chance I might be going to hell

For stealing

The Heart of a woman

Then go swimming in the lake,

floating on your back in the sun,

Imagine making love with the attractive stranger from the car park,

Your eyes locked momentarily,

registering a hint of mutual attraction,

It made you uncomfortable to be noticed, but it was thrilling too.

Hah!

“Hah!”

“That’s not funny.”

You’re laughing.”

“I’m not laughing.”

“It’s funny…”

“Only an idiot would think that’s funny.”

“Well then, I guess I’m an idiot.”

Poem #4 of 30

adventuredish — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:31:06 +0000

I’m a bit behind on publishing and posting of the poems. I’ve got several in different states; scribbled notes that need to be edited and ones that have seen rough draft 1 and 2 but still remain unfinished. This one could probably use a bit more work.

Sweet Inspiration

Sweet inspiration, where are you?

I’ve been looking for you everywhere.

I looked for you in the shower,

You were a no show.

You weren’t in the Refrigerator either,

Strangely enough, my keys were.

I thought we’d hang together over a cup of coffee,

Apparently you’re off caffeine too.

The thing is, I don’t remember where I left you.

I know I had you last week, but where?

I wonder, can I jumpstart you like my old VW beetle,

by jiggling the wires on the distributer cap.

If so, where do you keep your cap?

I’ve been trying all kinds of things to woo you back to me, Sweet Inspiration.

I sat on a cushion overlooking the sound at sunset.

Nothing

I listened to beautiful music that made me cry…

Still nothing

I rode the bus to the Pike Place Market, people watching all the way.

Nothing,

Well, there was this one strange guy, but that was really just kind of disturbing

Sweet Inspiration, I’m beginning to think you’re gone for good,

leaving me shackled to the writer’s block to starve,

the crows eagerly awaiting the chance to pick my bones clean.

Now here you are, sneaking up on me in the dawn, during my dreamtime reverie,

the beginnings of bird song outside the window on the first warm day of a too late spring.

Finally, you’re ringing my bell and with stubborn determination

you’ve forced me to rise to find pen and paper.

Sweet Inspiration, my eyes still at half mast.

I love you, I’m so happy to have you back,

but did you know it’s 5 am?

Poem #3 of 30

adventuredish — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:24:00 +0000

Today was a bit of a crazy deadline day, compounded by a head cold, so I’ve opted for another haiku.

Starfish

Overwhelmed by heat
He lays in the sun praying
the tide returns soon

Poem #2 of 30

adventuredish — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:51:37 +0000

Here’s the second poem in my 30 in 30 Poem Challenge. Enjoy!

Yes and the 4 letter word

View

Gaze

Eyes

Lock

Yes…

Meet

Chat

Wink

Play

Yes…

Call

Buzz

Ring

Talk

Yes…

Date

Meal

Plan

Ride

Yes…

Ride

Dine

Talk

Yes…

Talk

Dine

Swig

Grin

Gulp

Ogle

Pass

Yes…

Mind

Body

Wish

Want

Yes…

Kiss

Stir

Move

Melt

Yes…

Need

Burn

Sear

Fire

Yes…

Fuck

Yes, Yes, Yes!

Hard

Suck

Pump

Fuck

Suck

Pump

Kiss

Send

Come

Yes!

Stop

Hold

Rest

Stay

Feel

Yes…

Love

What?!

Lust

Urge

Itch

What?!

Wolf!

Vamp!

Slap!

Dash

Dart

Race

Tear

Bolt

Slam!

Ouch

Ciao

30 Poems in 30 Days

adventuredish — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:58:06 +0000

Tonight, I attended the Seattle Poetry Slam, which, as usual, was excellent. Slam poetry is my new drug of choice, my new vice, my new favorite tv program. I’ll write more about this later, but tonight I learned about… The 30 Day Poetry Challenge.

To take part, one must write and post in a public place, a poem a day for 30 days. I’ve never considered myself a writer, but being type A-, I’m always up for a challenge.

Poem 1 – April 1, 2009 (This counts because I learned of this three hours ago and the clock in my car, which hasn’t been Sprung Forward yet, due to needing to read the manual, currently reads 11:58pm.

Poem 1 - A Haiku
          Listen Intently
          Share, Be Authentic, Open
          Communication

Thanks for visiting.

Hire Liv for the Best Job in the World

adventuredish — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:52:17 +0000

UPDATE:

Well, I didn’t make the cut from 30,000+ entries to the top 50… this time. You can view the Best Job in the World contenders at: http://www.islandreefjob.com/#/finalists.

+++++++
Jambo Fellow Travelers,

The Queensland Tourism bureau has a marketing genius at the helm of their ship. In December they announced “The Best Job in the World,” a job opening as the Great Barrier Reef Island Caretaker. This is a seriously tough job. One is required to live in a luxury home on Hamilton Island for six months, while making sure the pool is kept clean, the fish are fed and occasionally one might need to go with the postman on his sea plane to collect the mail. That’s how they describe it, but what they really want is someone to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and blog regularly about it. Sort of a tourist reef ambassador. Their goal is to increase awareness and tourism and “Boy Howdy!”, they’ve already hit the mark.

The application process was to submit a 60 second video explaining why one would be the best person for the job. So, not only do they have thousands of people dreaming about the Great Barrier Reef now, but they’ve got all of us telling our friends. Did I say thousands? What I meant to say was 34,000.

Yes, they’ve received approximately 34,000 applications. When I submitted my application four days ago, the number was 19,000. Apparently in the last few hours before the application deadline closed, 4,000 people tried to upload their videos and crashed the system. Well that’s to be expected.

The selection process… they’re going to shorten this list to fifty applications, at which point they’ll post the shortlist for voting. They’ll pick their favorite ten applicants and the rest of the world will pick the 11^th in a Wildcard draw.

I’m not a big fan of putting myself out on the internet to be seen and scrutinized, but this is a unique circumstance that calls for action. So, I commandeered my neighbor David and his professional video camera, spent a few hours editing and submitted what I think is a really decent application. I’m playing the sincerity card, as I truly would love to be an ambassador for the Great Barrier Reef.

You can view my video and rate it at http://www.islandreefjob.com/applicants/watch/ExtYHQ7M60g .

By the way, I’m not above begging… “please, please, please give me a good rating, and Queensland Tourism, if you happen to stumble on my blog, “Pick ME”.

Hello world!

adventuredish — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:06:21 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!